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This webpage contains an interactive simulation that allows users to explore and visualize the photoelectric effect experiment. Users can examine different metals, as well as control voltages accelerating the electrons, the intensity of the electron and light beams, and the wavelength of the light. Output options include graphing current vs. voltage, current vs. light intensity, and electron energy vs. light frequency.

This page also contains sample learning goals, a teacher's guide and user-submitted ideas and activities for the simulation.

This simulation is part of a large and growing collection. It has been designed using principles from physics education research and refined based on student interviews.

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Related Materials (4)

PhET Simulation: Photoelectric Effect:

This interactive problem involves two light sources of differing wavelengths and kinetic energy beamed at a metal object. It provides a Socratic-style "help" sequence that guides students through each phase of the problem solving, from conceptual analysis through the mathematics.